Wrestling Falls to No. 2 Oklahoma State

STILLWATER, Okla. – In its first Big 12 dual meet in program history, the West Virginia University wrestling team was defeated by No. 2 Oklahoma State, 36-3, at Gallagher-Iba Arena.

“This was a very valuable experience for us, especially after the very disappointing feeling that I had after our match at Lock Haven,” said coach Craig Turnbull. “This may be the best dual meet team in the country – the difference between them and Penn State isn’t very much. As crazy as it sounds, the difference between us and Oklahoma State wasn’t very much. These guys are familiar with the critical moments of a dual meet because they have the steady diet of an Iowa, Iowa State, Oklahoma and so forth.”

The Mountaineers looked as though they would take an early lead against the Cowboys, as Shane Young (125) grabbed a quick takedown in the first period of his match. After two escape points by opponent Eddie Klimara, Young was unable to escape from bottom position in the third period. In doing so, Klimara earned a riding time point that sealed the 3-2 win.

At 133 pounds, Colin Johnston nearly avenged Johnston’s loss, but a takedown with three seconds remaining gave the win to OSU’s Tyler Dorrell. Johnston held leads of 3-1 and 5-3 in the match, but Dorrell’s takedown near the buzzer gave him a 7-6 victory.

Nathan Pennesi (141) scored the lone win of the night for WVU, as he was able defeat Julian Feikert. After a scoreless first period, Pennesi began the second in bottom position. From there, he converted a near perfect reversal, which he then worked into three near fall points. In the third period, Pennesi cemented the riding time point by not allowing an escape.

“We should have had a 9-0 lead following the opening three matches,” Turnbull said. “We have shown the ability to do one, two or three actions with teams such as this, but our opponent has shown the ability to do four, five and six to finish a takedown or a score.

After bonus point victories at 149, 157 and 165 pounds that put OSU on top 20-3, Bubba Scheffel looked to slow the Cowboy’s momentum at 174 pounds. Scheffel, however, could not find his groove against top-ranked Chris Perry, as he was defeated 8-3.

In the final three bouts of the dual meet, OSU was able to score a major decision at 184 pounds and a win by fall at heavyweight. Sandwiched in between at 197 pounds, A.J. Vizcarrondo was defeated 4-1.

With the loss, the Mountaineers drop to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in the Big 12.

WVU faces a quick turnaround, as it will square off against No. 14 Oklahoma on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. EST.